IF YOU HAVE RELAPSING MS, YOU'RE INVITED.
Seder from page 34
tance. People who used to be friends
may not be anymore, through
no one's fault, really. When you
end a marriage, you change, and
sometimes that means friendships
change, too.
In the past two years, I've gone
from being married to being single,
my daughters have left for college
and adulthood, and my two sis-
ters, both of whom live in different
states, lost their husbands, suddenly,
far before their time. It's been tough.
Last fall, we couldn't be together
for the High Holidays because of an
upcoming bat mitzvah celebration.
So my sisters and I were each alone
in our home states. Surprisingly,
none of us, each in our own com-
munity, were being invited to join
other families or friends.
It surprised me, as someone who
has always been involved in and
fond of my Jewish community, to
have to ask to spend a holiday meal
at friends' houses. I did, and they
said, of course, and all was well. It is
just sometimes uncomfortable hav-
ing to ask.
munity in this stage of my life, so
be it. A dear friend shared a story
of how, when she divorced, people
stopped inviting her for Shabbat
meals. So she decided to make new
friends and invite them for Shabbat.
At first, it hurt. But eventually, she
shifted into her new life, embracing
the new person she was becoming
and accepting that some friendships
last a lifetime, and some only last a
while.
I hope people in our community
recognize that there are all different
kinds of Jews living here in Detroit.
It's easy to be friends when life goes
easily by. But it's when things get
tough, when we change, when we
make hard decisions that we need
our community the most. Even if
you don't know what to say, it's bet-
ter to simply sit together and be
there, showing your unspoken sup-
port.
Inclusive Feeling
This Passover, I took a chance and
asked individuals if they had any
place to go. If they didn't, I invited
them to my seder table. I am creat-
Spring Into Community
ing my own community.
So this spring, with another holiday
In theory, minyan is our daily
upon us to observe and celebrate
ritual to create community, but with
with community, I decided to host
diminishing numbers of attendance,
two of my own seders, inviting dif-
we all know that's not holding us
ferent people each night so not only
together. It's time for a new ritual
would I not celebrate alone, but I
for day-to-day life that creates com-
also would do my best to make sure
munity and makes everybody feel
no one else would either.
included.
It's important to me to have
I love the story of Abraham's tent
a sense of community. And if it
being open on all four sides, all the
means I have to make a new com-
time — not just during crises. It's a
lesson to be open
to welcoming the
stranger, to mak-
THE WISE
ing sure every-
one has a place
SOLOMON MY KING,
to be. For we
THE UPLIFTING NEWS
THERE'S UPLIFTING
IS THAT IN ISRAEL
were all strang-
NEWS AND THERE'S
NO ONE IS ABOVE
ers in a foreign
DEPRESSING NEWS.
THE LAW!
land, which we
remember at
this time of year.
It doesn't take
much to be that
stranger among
your own people
yet again.
POLITICALCARTOONS.COM
DRYBONES.COM
ONE
DIFFERENCE.
The One Day for Every Day event for people
with relapsing MS and their care partners.
- SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014 -
Get information from MS experts, learn about an oral treatment option, and connect with the community.
Breakfast and lunch will be served. Free parking is available. We hope you'll join us.
• • •
MS EXPERT PANEL: A neurologist, people living with MS, and others will discuss MS
and a treatment option, and answer questions - so bring yours.
Featuring: Howard S. Rossman, D.o., FACN, Medical Director, M.I.N.D, Multiple
Sclerosis Center, Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders
Daniel S. Bandari, MD, MS, Director, Multiple Sclerosis Center of California &
Research Group, Hoag Neurosciences Institute
WORKSHOPS: Join 1 of 3 different sessions led by experts:
Effectively Communicate Your MS Story
Make Technology Work for You
MS and Your Relationships
MS HEALTH FAIR: Organizations, companies, and support groups devoted to people living
with MS will be on hand to talk, share, and help.
Adoba Hotel
600 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI 48126
SATURDAY, MAY 17, 2014
11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
(Registration and MS Health Fair open at 10:00 AM)
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, GO TO
1day4everyday.com OR CALL 1-866-703-6923 TODAY!
1910580
Dry Bones SOLOMON
❑
A FORMER PRIME
MINISTER OF OURS
HAS BEEN FOUND
GUILTY OF TAKING
BRIBES.
ow will you show dour love this
Nother's Da0
Donate to The Joy Project at Jewish Family Service, and
we'll send a beautiful card acknowledging your gift to the
special women in your life.
You can show your love to the mothers, daughters, family
and friends in your life. You'll also help support women in
need in our community!
Alisa Peskin-
Shepherd is a
family law attorney
and principal at
Share the Love. Visit jfsjoyproject.org , call 248-592-2673,
or email joyproject@jfsdetroit.org to give!
Bloomfield Hills-
based Transitions
Legal (www.
transitionslegal.
Jewish Family Se
of Metropolitan Detro
com). She lives in
Birmingham.
PROJE
Share the Love
JN
April 17 • 2014
35